UN envoy frames UNAMI—s year-end departure as a milestone, pledges continued UN support

Mohammed Al Hassan, head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), delivered a final briefing to the Security Council, calling the mission—s planned year-end closure a milestone and thanking member states and the Government of Iraq for their long-term cooperation. "Today, indeed, is a great day for the international community and the United Nations to witness an honorable and dignified closure of a UN mission," he said.

Al Hassan paid tribute to the 22 United Nations personnel killed in the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing and singled out the late Sergio Vieira de Mello. He thanked Iraqi authorities for hosting UNAMI for 22 years and acknowledged Kuwait—s cooperation on mission work. He also expressed gratitude to UNAMI staff and to Fijian and Nepalese United Nations Guard Units for their service.

While stressing that UNAMI—s departure does not end the UN-Iraq partnership, Al Hassan said the United Nations country team will continue to provide technical expertise, advice and programmatic support on inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, human rights, displacement and the participation of women, youth and minorities. The envoy described the handover as the start of a new chapter rooted in Iraqi leadership of its future.